Anadolu Efes Istanbul produced a commanding second-half performance to beat Unics Kazan 91-79 in the VTB Super Cup on September 19, 2026. A 24-18 third quarter broke open a tight contest and sent the Turkish giants to a statement victory in front of their home fans.

Efes' balanced scoring and defensive discipline proved too much for a Kazan side that competed well for 25 minutes before fading down the stretch.

Match Overview

The opening half was a genuine back-and-forth affair. Efes jumped out to a six-point lead after the first quarter, but Unics answered with a composed second period, sharing the ball and knocking down contested jumpers to keep the deficit to five at the break.

• Quarter scores: 25-19, 21-22, 24-18, 21-20
• Final: Anadolu Efes Istanbul 91, Unics Kazan 79
• Competition: VTB Super Cup

After halftime, Efes raised their intensity on both ends, and the game never returned to single digits in the final eight minutes.

Key Moments

The defining sequence arrived midway through the third quarter. Efes strung together an 11-0 run built on defensive stops, transition buckets and a pair of three-pointers from the wing, turning a four-point edge into a 15-point cushion. Unics called timeout, but the momentum had already shifted.

Kazan made one last push early in the fourth, cutting the lead to nine behind aggressive drives, but Efes responded with a steady diet of post touches and free throws to close the door.

Tactical Story

Efes' offense was built on ball movement and spacing. Their guards consistently drew two defenders in pick-and-roll situations, and the resulting rotations gave Efes open looks from the corners. When Kazan switched, Efes punished the mismatch inside.

Defensively, Efes' length bothered Unics throughout the second half. The Turkish side contested every perimeter look, forced late-clock situations and limited second-chance opportunities by controlling the defensive glass. Kazan's half-court offense became increasingly predictable as the game wore on, relying on isolation basketball rather than the crisp ball movement that had kept them close early.

Standout Players

• Efes playmakers: Dictated pace, found open shooters and finished the game with a healthy assist-to-turnover ratio.
• Efes frontcourt: Dominated the paint on both ends, scoring efficiently and protecting the rim.
• Kazan guards: Kept Unics competitive in the first half with shot-making off the dribble.

Season Impact

Taking a 12-point win in VTB Super Cup play reinforces Efes' reputation as one of the most complete rosters in the competition. The result also underlines the depth advantage Anadolu Efes enjoy when their bench contributes on both ends of the floor.

Unics Kazan will take positives from a competitive first half, but the manner of the third-quarter collapse will be a coaching point in the days ahead as they prepare for their next fixture.